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A transformative, cohort-based leadership program in partnership with Acumen Academy to nurture social impact leaders building a better future.

We look for individuals who see problems as opportunities, who dare to dream and take action, who are idealistic in their pursuits and grounded in the hard work it takes to get there, who believe that change in the world starts with changing ourselves, and who have the humility to know that none of this is possible going at it alone.

As the founding partner of Acumen Academy in Southeast Asia, YTL Foundation is proud to support a new generation of leaders committed to tackling poverty and injustice. Since 2019, the partnership has grown from a national initiative in Malaysia to a regional Fellowship, now bringing together leaders from across Southeast Asia to reimagine systems and build a world based on dignity.

What is the Fellowship

The Southeast Asia Acumen Fellowship is a cohort-based leadership journey that brings together extraordinary individuals committed to tackling poverty. It equips them with knowledge, skills, and community to strengthen their leadership and scale their impact to create meaningful change in Southeast Asia.

Fellow Candidates join The Foundry upon completion, gaining access to capital, coaching, peer networks, and continuous learning as part of lifelong accompaniment on their journey to creating social change.
With YTL Foundation’s support, Acumen Academy has launched a thriving regional ecosystem, connecting social innovators across borders in pursuit of long-term, systemic change.

Program Overview

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We provide the tools and community for leaders to create the change they dare to dream.

The Southeast Asia Acumen Fellowship includes:

8-Month Journey

Three in-person immersive gatherings, online learning labs, cohort calls, 1:1 coaching, and self-paced assignments.

Robust Curriculum

Grounded in Adaptive Leadership, Polarities Management, “Good Society” Readings, and Authentic Voice.

Community of Practice

Access to a lifelong alumni network of over 1,800 leaders, plus resources, mentoring, and social and financial capital.

Tools & Skills

Learn to work across lines of differences, mobilise others and test new skills with your cohort while building long-lasting peer relationships to support your journey.

In-Person Immersives & Online Workshops

Our Fellows come together five times a year for 3 in-person immersives lasting 5 days each and 2 online workshops series - 4 weeks each. This enables Fellows to develop a more nuanced knowledge and application of our leadership programme.

Virtual Content

Our unique virtual content uses Acumen Academy’s library of content as well as Acumen’s twenty-year history of training social sector leaders.

A Community of Practice

We provide the space for our Fellows to connect across lines of difference, practice self-reflection, broaden their perspectives and identify areas for professional development.

Focus on Real World Adaptability

Our curriculum is designed to be relevant and applicable to our Fellows' lives and work. Mentoring sessions and motivational programmes are provided for leaders in the social sector, especially those who work on issues of poverty and social injustice.

Our Fellows

Acumen Fellows are social innovators who see the reality around them, yet dare to imagine the world as
it could be.

Social Entrepreneurs

Leaders who create impact by co-founding enterprises that provide critical goods and/or services to the disadvantaged and marginalised. These enterprises can be for-profit or non-profit ventures.

Public Sector Leaders

Leaders who create impact by working within the government to create policy changes and partnerships, or adopt new models in tackling poverty and social injustice.

Intrapreneurs

Leaders who create impact from within existing institutions by changing cultures and using resources to tackle poverty and social injustice.

Social Entrepreneurs

Leaders who create impact by co-founding enterprises that provide critical goods and/or services to the disadvantaged and marginalised. These enterprises can be for-profit or non-profit ventures.

Public Sector Leaders

Leaders who create impact by working with the government to create policy changes and partnerships, or to adopt new models in tackling poverty or social injustice.